The Underground Railroad eBook

reticence Robert understood to mean, that she was
still unconverted on this great cardinal principle
at least. As he could see no prospect of freedom
through her agency, when Frank approached him with
a good report from Canada and his friends there, he
could scarcely wait to listen to the glorious news;
he was so willing and anxious to get out of slavery.
His dear old mother, Sarah Davis, and four brothers
and two sisters, William, Thomas, Frederick and Samuel,
Violet and Ellen, were all owned by Mrs. Hutchinson.
Dear as they were to him, he saw no way to take them
with him, nor was he prepared to remain a day longer
under the yoke; so he decided to accompany Frank,
let the cost be what it might.

Vincent is about twenty-three years of age, very “likely-looking,”
dark color, and more than ordinarily intelligent for
one having only the common chances of slaves.

He was owned by the estate of Nathan Skinner, who
was “looked upon,” by those who knew him,
“as a good slave-holder.” In slave
property, however, he was only interested to the number
of twelve head. Skinner “neither sold nor
emancipated.” A year and a half before Vincent
escaped, his master was called to give an account of
his stewardship, and there in the spirit land Vincent
was willing to let him remain, without much more to
add about him.

Vincent left his mother, Judah Smith, and brothers
and sisters, Edwin, Angeline, Sina Ann, Adaline Susan,
George, John and Lewis, all belonging to the estate
of Skinner.

Vincent was fortunate enough to bring his wife along
with him. She was about twenty-seven years of
age, of a brown color, and smart, and was owned by
the daughter of the widow Hutchinson. This mistress
was said to be a “clever woman.”

* * * *
*

WILLIAM JORDON, ALIAS WILLIAM PRICE

Under Governor Badger, of North Carolina, William
had experienced Slavery in its most hateful form.
True, he had only been twelve months under the yoke
of this high functionary. But William’s
experience in this short space of time, was of a nature
very painful.

Previous to coming into the governor’s hands,
William was held as the property of Mrs. Mary Jordon,
who owned large numbers of slaves. Whether the
governor was moved by this consideration, or by the
fascinating charms of Mrs. Jordon, or both, William
was not able to decide. But the governor offered
her his hand, and they became united in wedlock.
By this circumstance, William was brought into his
unhappy relations with the Chief Magistrate of the
State of North Carolina. This was the third time
the governor had been married. Thus it may be
seen, that the governor was a firm believer in wives
as well as slaves. Commonly he was regarded as
a man of wealth. William being an intelligent
piece of property, his knowledge of the governor’s
rules and customs was quite complete, as he readily
answered such questions as were propounded to him.
In this way a great amount of interesting information
was learned from William respecting the governor,
slaves, on the plantation, in the swamps, etc.
The governor owned large plantations, and was interested
in raising cotton, corn, and peas, and was also a
practical planter. He was willing to trust neither
overseers nor slaves any further than he could help.